Angela Merkels speech before the US congress has been called historic before she even held it and expectations were high. But this time Merkel, not exactly famous at home for painting visions and holding strong and emotional speeches surprised the Germans at home.
Merkel made a clear commitment to the trans-atlantic alliance, cited her own biography as a woman who has experienced opression under communism as the base for her believe in the importance of the euro-american relations and has left behind both the sometimes vassal like german - american friendship of the fifties and the seesaw politics of her predecessor Schroeder between Washington, Moscow and Bejing.
The speech is seen as more than just friendly blabla in Germany and Merkel also included the many different stereotypes that Germans had about America in recent history : As a refuge with promises of freedom and wealth, but also a bully on the international carpet, as a liberator but also an occupation power, as a trading partner but also a hegemon ( though a benevolent one) And finally she thanked America for two things : For the liberation from Naziism but also for moving its military might back across the Atlantic upon the demise of the Soviet Union, behaving fairly and peacefully.
In Washington Merkel showed that she can also use clear language and bring her points across in a emotional and coherent way, something that is often missed in her political performance at home ...



Bravo, Chancellor Merkel: A Timely Commitment to America - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International

I found the speech to be interesting and impressive.

I am surprised by the open and specific positive comments about the US. I certainly appreciate them but I am bewildered.

My experience is that Germans tend to say what they mean; I like the forthright manner and approach, espcially as it is combined with a certain amount of reserve. So I assume that Merkel was mostly sincere.

Even the Der Speigel article was approving of her comments. ()

How was her speech received in Germany?

Its in the article, positively

Well she didn't screwed up, but so what?

It's one of the view things one can really expect from one's chancellor; not making an assclown of herself and our country abroad.

Apart from that I view it as totaly unimportant and I think to remember one newspaper questioning what efforts/accomplishes granted her this speech to begin with?

Hell Helmut Kohl, the guy finishing off the cold war with his (our) Deutsch Marks and his special friendship/understanding with George Bush I, wasn't granted this show of friendship ( speaking in front of the elected clowns aka congress/senate), but still Merkel got it?

Sorry that just stinks!

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"Homo Homini Lupus"
Thomas Hobbes

Well, she actually did rather well. I thought her speech was quite good. Apparently you were not impressed.



What do you mean? She is the visiting head of state of an important nation. That is her accomplishment.


Elected clowns


What is your complaint?

It seems that you have several complaints here.

But what is the complaint regarding Kohl? Did he request time to speak to the US congress and was rejected?

I'd say the question to your question is pretty simple. Merkel is right now Americas most reliable ally among Europes leading nations. More reliable than Sarkozy and more likely to stay in office than Gordon Brown. Also known for her very pro-american positions that she even publicly stood by when she got quite some wind blowing in her face, like during the Iraq war. So for the Obama administration it makes sense to cuddle her a little and grant her a publicity success that costs nothing.
And interesting is that the german media echoe was largely positive. There was some speculation about hidden motives but I am not aware of any major paper or commentator criticizing the speeches content.

Nearly no one in Germany is really interested what Merkel said in the USA. The real message came from General Motors and most people are interpreting: "Don't trust Americans!"

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Scientia et potentia humana in idem coincidunt, quia ignoratio causae destituit effectum
Sir Francis Bacon

On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1Etruh7Ch8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5JkHBC5lDs